The Surprising Benefits of Quiet Time for Adults

(Last Updated On: December 6, 2022)

There are many benefits to taking some time for yourself.

In our hectic world, it can be difficult to find time to relax and just enjoy some peace and quiet. Turn on the TV, listen to the news, answer that phone call, or read that text, and you’re off and running. Maybe not physically, but your mind is churning, your heart rate might increase, and depending on the topic, your blood pressure might go up.

But what if I told you that there were major benefits to spending some time each day without any noise or distractions?

Believe it or not, taking a little “me” time can improve your physical health, mental well-being, and even your relationships.

Keep reading to learn more about the surprising benefits of quiet time for adults.

Why We Need the Silence, and Why It’s So Hard to Do

As adults, we are constantly bombarded with noise. From the ringing of our phones to the endless chatter of the television, it can sometimes feel like there is no escape from the din.

And yet, studies have shown that exposure to too much noise can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression. In addition, it can interfere with our ability to focus and be productive.

So it just makes sense that we need to take some time out for quiet every day. However, this can be easier said than done. Think about it.

We are often so busy that we can’t find the time to just sit and be still. We may also feel uncomfortable without the constant background noise of our everyday lives. It can be a struggle to just sit still, literally.

But if we can find a way to make even just a few minutes of silence each day, we’ll likely find that we feel calmer, more relaxed, and more able to cope with the challenges of life.

Daily Quiet Time is Good for Our Body

A little quiet time each day has physical benefits and can do wonders for your health.

Taking a few minutes to sit quietly can help to lower your blood pressure and breathing rate, as well as reduce muscle tension and heart rate. Silence helps to improve focus and concentration and can lead to a reduced risk of anxiety and stress.

Quiet moments can also help to boost your energy levels and mood and promote overall well-being.

Better Sleep

A good night’s sleep is essential for your mental and physical health. If you’re struggling with insomnia, one strategy that can help is to set aside some time each day for quiet time. This is a period where you can relax and clear your mind of any worries or stressors.

You can use this time to meditate, pray, journal, or simply spend time in nature. The key is to find an activity that helps you to relax and feel at peace.

When you incorporate quiet time into your daily routine it can help to reduce the symptoms of insomnia and improve sleep quality.

Daily Quiet Time is Good for Our Mental Health

You might not realize it, but your spirit, as well as your mental health, can benefit greatly from taking a few minutes out of each day to relax in silence. This practice is known as mindfulness, and it can help you to become more self-aware and present in the moment.

In addition, mindfulness has been shown to stimulate new growth in brain cells, which can boost creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

So if you’re looking for a way to improve your mental well-being, consider taking some time each day to sit quietly and focus on your breath. You might be surprised at how much better you feel as a result.

How to Include Quiet Moments in Your Day

As a woman over 50, you have a lot of wisdom and experience to offer the world. But in order to do that, you need to take care of yourself first. That means taking some time each day for quiet reflection and contemplation.

This time doesn’t have to be a formal “I am now going to have my quiet time” designation, but it is important to make this special part of your day a priority.

Here are a few tips for how to do that:

1. Set aside about 15 minutes each day for yourself. If that seems like more time than you can devote, try five minutes first, and then increase to ten minutes. This can be first thing in the morning (think morning routine), during your afternoon coffee break, or right before bed. Whatever time works best for you, make sure to put it on your calendar and stick to it.

2. During your time of solitude, you can do any activity that helps you rest, relax, feel calm, and de-stress. This might include reading, journaling, meditating, prayer, or simply sitting in silence. Choose whatever feels best for you at the moment.

3. If your mind tends to wander during quiet time, that’s okay! Just gently bring your attention back to your breath or the present moment. Over time, you’ll find it easier and easier to stay focused.

4. Make it a priority. It can be very hard to allow ourselves time to just be, to sit quietly, to clear our minds, and not think about the next thing we’re supposed to do.

How to Reap the Benefits of Quiet Time

There are many benefits to incorporating daily quiet time into your routine, especially if you’re a woman over 50. Quiet time can help to reduce stress, promote better sleep, and boost your overall mood and energy levels. Here are a few ways to make the most of your daily quiet time:

1. Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down. Or, if you live near a safe, quiet area to walk, spend this time walking, thinking quietly without the distraction of your phone or other media in your ears.

2. Make sure the space is free from distractions. Turn off your phone, television, and any other devices that might disrupt your peace and quiet. Consider diffusing some calming essential oils or burning scented candles to create an inviting atmosphere if you enjoy that type of atmosphere.

3. Set a timer for however long you want to spend in quiet contemplation. Start with just 5 or 10 minutes if you’re new to the practice, and gradually increase the amount of time as you become more comfortable with it.

4. Focus on your breath and allow your thoughts to flow freely without judgment. If your mind wanders, simply redirect your focus back to your breath.

If you’re reading this post and thinking that it’s really not for you, consider these scenarios:

• you are still working, from home or at an office
• you’re retired and the days are wide open (sometimes they seem endless)
• you’re no longer working and the future is uncertain
• you’re wondering what to do with yourself and how to find your purpose
• you are caring for an ill spouse or family member and it is all-consuming

If you can relate to any of the life situations above, or maybe a combination of them, then a few minutes of scheduled quiet time each day is not only a good idea, it’s an essential, my friend.

Those few, simple minutes of alone-time can provide the calm, the insight, the focus, the resolve, and the strength to face whatever the day holds.

My suggestion is to incorporate some quiet time into a morning routine, created around your schedule, lifestyle, and preferences. It can be a life-changer.

Here are some helpful links to articles to get you started:

• Wake Up 101: A Simple, Healthy Morning Routine
• A Morning Routine List: Create Your Own Healthy Start to Each Day
• 5 Ways to Create Healthy Morning Routine Habits

My Daily Quiet Time

My daily time of solitude and quietness has been in the morning, as part of my morning routine, for the last several years. I know that I am a morning person and wake up easily, so this fits with my personality and make up.

I know two other things about myself:

1. once I get going for the day, it’s hard for me to stop and sit still
2. I fizzle out in the evening

So, shortly after I wake up, I spend 10 to 15 minutes sitting quietly in the living room. I spend a few minutes reading my daily devotion app, and then take the rest of the time to ponder, meditate on what I’ve read, and pray.

The benefits of quiet time for me? It’s quite amazing what I think of, the ideas that the Lord gives me during this time, and how I can quietly solve problems or create plans of action.

When I don’t have this at the start of my day, I can absolutely tell the difference.

It’s Your Turn

Sure, it’s nice to read about the benefits of practicing and cultivating a period of silence and time alone day. And, I’ve shared what I do.

The challenge, my friend, is to put it into practice, focusing on what is best for you.

Will you allow room in your life for daily quiet time?

When do you think it would work best for you:

• first thing in the morning
• part of your morning routine
• before lunch
• mid-afternoon
• after dinner
• part of your evening routine
• right before bedtime

What obstacles immediately come to mind?

Listen to your heart, my friend. Even if you’re thinking that it’s not relevant to you because you’re retired and have all the time in the world leisurely go through your day, guess what?

You still need a few minutes of alone time, just for you. In fact, if you’re someone who has been feeling a bit lost since retiring, relocating, or otherwise changing the way your days are spent, creating this mini-routine might be just what you need to feel more like yourself. It will give you a daily sense of purpose.

Conclusion: Benefits of Quiet Time

Maybe you haven’t given the idea of some quiet time much thought, and that’s understandable. Most of the time we’re moving, planning, talking, watching, reading, and doing who-knows-what-else throughout our days and weeks.

So it might be time to inject a little bit of ‘me-time’ in the form of some daily solitude, to get your body, mind, and spirit moving in the right direction. Today is your day.

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